Visit Chew Stoke Places

Welcome to Visit Chew Stoke Places
The Walkfo guide to things to do & explore in Chew Stoke

  

Chew Stoke Places Overview: History, Culture & Facts about Chew Stoke

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Chew Stoke history

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Prehistory

Archaeological excavations carried out between 1953 and 1955 by Philip Rahtz and Ernest Greenfield from the Ministry of Works found evidence of extensive human occupation of the area. Consecutive habitation spanning thousands of years from the Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods (Old, Middle, and New Stone Age), to the Bronze and Iron Ages had left numerous artefacts behind. Discoveries have included stone knives, flint blades, and the head of a mace.

Romano-Celtic temple

Chew Stoke is the site of a Romano-Celtic double-octagonal temple, possibly dedicated to Mercury. The temple was excavated by Philip Rahtz between 1949 and 1951. It consisted of an inner wall, which formed the sanctuary, surrounded by an outer wall forming an ambulatory, or covered walkway 56.5 feet (17.2 m) across.

Middle Ages

In the Domesday Book of 1086, Chew Stoke was listed as Chiwestoche, and was recorded as belonging to Gilbert Fitz-Turold. He conspired with the Duke of Normandy against King William Rufus, and subsequently, all his lands were seized. The next recorded owner was Lord Beauchamp of Hache, who became “lord of the manor”

Bilbie family of bell and clockmakers

Bilbie family of bell founders and clockmakers lived and worked in Chew Stoke for more than 200 years. They produced more than 1,350 church bells, which were hung in churches all over the West Country. Their oldest surviving bell, cast in 1698, is still giving good service in the local St Andrew’s Church.

Recent history

In the 20th century, Chew Stoke expanded slightly with the influx of residents from the Chew Valley Lake area. In World War II, 42 children and three teachers, who had been evacuated from Avenmore school in London, were accommodated in the village. On 10 July 1968, torrential rainfall, with 175 millimetres (7 in) falling in 18 hours, led to widespread flooding.

Chew Stoke landmarks

St Andrews Church

St Andrews Church, Chew Stoke, was constructed in the 15th century and underwent extensive renovation in 1862. The inside of the church is decorated with 156 angels in wood and stone. The reconstructed Moreton Cross in the churchyard was moved there when Chew Valley Lake flooded.

Rectory

The Rectory, at the end of Church Lane, opposite the church hall, is believed to have been built in 1529 by Sir John Barry, rector 1524–46. The building has an ornate south front with carvings of shields bearing the coat of arms of the St Loe family, who were once chief landowners in the area.

New rectory

The Reverend John Ellershaw built the new rectory in the 1870s. The last rector to occupy it was Lionel St Clair Waldy from 1907 to 1945. It was then bought by Douglas Wills, who donated it and the rectory field to Winford Hospital as a convalescent home for 16 children.

Grade II listed buildings

Chew Stoke School has approximately 170 pupils between 4 and 11 years old. Manor Farm, on Scot Lane, thought to date from 1495, is probably the oldest building in the village. The importance of farming is reflected in the age of many of the farmhouses.

Chew Stoke geography / climate

The area of Chew Stoke is surrounded by arable land and dairy farms. It is located along the Strode Brook tributary of the River Chew. The village is built along the main thoroughfare, Bristol Road, which runs northeast to southwest.

You can visit Chew Stoke places with Walkfo Chew Stoke to hear history at Chew Stoke’s places whilst walking around using the free digital tour app. Walkfo Chew Stoke has 21 places to visit in our interactive Chew Stoke map, with amazing history, culture & travel facts you can explore the same way you would at a museum or art gallery with information audio headset. With Walkfo, you can travel by foot, bike or bus throughout Chew Stoke, being in the moment, without digital distraction or limits to a specific walking route. Our historic audio walks, National Trust interactive audio experiences, digital tour guides for English Heritage locations are available at Chew Stoke places, with a AI tour guide to help you get the best from a visit to Chew Stoke & the surrounding areas.

“Curated content for millions of locations across the UK, with 21 audio facts unique to Chew Stoke places in an interactive Chew Stoke map you can explore.”

Walkfo: Visit Chew Stoke Places Map
21 tourist, history, culture & geography spots

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Chew Stoke historic spots	Chew Stoke tourist destinations	Chew Stoke plaques	Chew Stoke geographic features
Walkfo Chew Stoke tourism map key: places to see & visit like National Trust sites, Blue Plaques, English Heritage locations & top tourist destinations in Chew Stoke

  

Best Chew Stoke places to visit

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Chew Stoke has places to explore by foot, bike or bus. Below are a selection of the varied Chew Stoke’s destinations you can visit with additional content available at the Walkfo Chew Stoke’s information audio spots:

Visit Chew Stoke plaques